01/03 Track work continued during the month on the Hallen Marsh - Filton
freight-only line centred on the area near the M5 road overbridge close to
Hallen village. 66065 departed Avonmouth at 12:50 heading for the worksite with
a 6W24 08:59 Oxford Hinksey yard - Hallen Marsh junction departmental, the loco
having earlier ran-round at Temple Meads, and worked in via Clifton Down.
03/03 The 6C63 11:16 (TO) Westbury - Avonmouth import stone empties and 6C64
16:16 loaded return was worked by 59005. Other locos noted on this turn during
the month have included:- 66169 (17/03), 59206, carrying the new DB Schenker
rail livery (24/03) and 66040 (31/03). MRL box wagons were recorded as used on
24/03.
07/03 The Saturday's only, Fastline 6M90 10:10 Avonmouth West wharf - Ratcliffe
P.S. loaded coal service was powered by 'on loan' GBRf 66726. Due to what was
believed a late arrival for the empties, the departure time was changed to
13:50, the working being reported passing Brentry at 14:03. This working was
cancelled on the following Saturday.
15/03 A PW train was observed stopped above the M5 motorway at 02:00 headed by a
DB Schenker Class 66. Later, further engineers trains were noted in the area;-
66096 on a 6W24 09:20 Oxford Hinksey yard autoballaster (which had arrived via
Clifton Down) and 66156 on a 6W22 14:54 Hallen Marsh - Oxford Hinksey yard train
formed of 37 mainly 4-wheel open wagons. The latter working was noted passing
near Sea Mills at 16:18 heading via Clifton Down to Temple Meads for a loco
run-round, continuing onwards via Parkway. A 6W21 10:56 Oxford Hinksey yard -
Hallen Marsh and 6W23 22.00 Hallen Marsh - Oxford Hinksey yard were also
reported to have run, although the hauling locos were not identified. 150247 was
noted working the Sunday's First /GW Temple Meads - Avonmouth and return local
service.
21/03 66304 worked the 6M90 10:10 Avonmouth West wharf - Ratcliffe P.S. loaded
coal, passing Brentry again late at 12:55. The inward empties ran as 4V80 04:01
Chaddeston - Avonmouth (due 07:23).
26/03 66129 brought in the 6C90 Newport ADJ - Avonmouth freight trip being
recorded passing Patchway at 09:14.
Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included;-
66015/017/025/069/078/137/139/142/213. 66304. 66726. 08405 continues as the area
shunting pilot.

Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh

01/03 Steam Dreams ran a 'St. Davids Day Cathedrals Express' using steam
70013 Oliver Cromwell as 1Z70 09:05 Paddington - Newport and 1Z73 18:16 return,
arriving at Parkway 17 minutes late for a water stop. Signalling problems were
the cause of the late arrival, the train having been stopped at Winterbourne and
Curtis Lane before arrival in the down loop. At least one north-bound Arriva XC
Voyager service was also reported as affected, having to run from Filton to
Patchway and Pilning for a reverse to Parkway and resume its correct route. The
1Z73 steam tour departed Newport at 18:25 (9 minutes late), the day's coaching
stock in use being;- M17019 (loco support), S5236, S5237, 1961, S5249, Victoria
(99371), 13440, S9104, S1840, S5171, S5200, S5216, S5222. Also on the down-side
during the day Freightliner locos 66514, 66558, 66597 were all stabled, with
66545, 66559, 66582, 66604 being reported at Kingsland road sidings.
02/03 Class 60 activity saw 60091 arrive on the 6V98 21:30 (Sun) Lindsey -
Westerleigh (due 06:25) loaded fuel tanks and later 60011 pass through Parkway
with the 6B35 Hayes - Moreton-on-Lugg stone empties. Three freights seen this
evening starting with 66142 on a loaded Avonmouth Didcot MGR (6D21), 66508 was
stabled in the yard joined later by 66558 Rugeley Stoke Gifford empty MGR (4V56)
finally 66106 MoD Liner (6A29) conveying the usual stock plus empty fuel trucks.
XC power cars seen tonight were 43304/378.
03/03 Signalling problems between Newport and Bristol Parkway saw some late
running, the problem being corrected by 07:30. Two afternoon freight records
were;- DRS 20308 + 37612 off Parkway loop at 13:55 with the 6M67 14:02
Bridgwater - Crewe nuclear flasks (the morning inward 6V74 having arrived in
Bridgwater 45 minutes late due to problems with the Class 37 loco) and 66545
passing at 17:02 on 6B11 Thorney Mill - Pengam loaded stone.
05/03 DB Schenker livered 59206 passed Pilning at 13:50 on the return 6C83 (TThO)
12:20 Machen - Westbury loaded stone.
06/03 The NRMT HST with power cars 43062 + 43013 passed Parkway at 07:47 as 1Z20
06:19 Paddington - Swansea, later returning (being reported through Newport at
11:26) as 09:47 Swansea - Derby Etches Park.
07/03 66545 and 66556 were both stabled in the down-side at Parkway.
09/09 66187 worked the 6C48 12:27 Appleford - Machen stone empties through
Parkway during the afternoon. Freight services tonight were 66565 (4V56) Rugeley
Stoke Gifford and 66091(6A29) MoD liner. XC power cars seen were 43285/378.
10/03 The 6B13 Robeston - Westerleigh loaded fuel tanks behind 60031 were
delayed in the Cam area due to a fatality. DRS 37604 + 37607 passed Parkway at
17:15 on a late running 6M67 Bridgwater - Crewe nuclear flask working.
12/03 Another quiet night with 66953 (4V56) and 66207 (6A29) the only freights
seen. XC power cars were 43304/366.
13/03 Colas 'hire' 56311 ran 0Z56 Tyseley - Westerleigh light-engine (via Oxford
and Swindon), reversing at Parkway and then arriving for week-end stabling at
Westerleigh at 15:50.
14/03 FLHH 66616 was noted heading towards Avonmouth on an engineers train
during the late afternoon, whilst 66518 brought in 4V56 15:30 Rugeley P.S. -
Parkway coal empties during the evening, to join 66953 and 66610 already
stabled. 56311 and the Robeston tank loco 60031 were visible in the distance
from the M5 at 13:30.
16/03 66207 was on the 6C48 Appleford - Machen stone empties and 66230 passed on
a newly introduced Monday's-only export steel-flow 'trial'; 6Z96 08:21 Margam -
Wembley (booked Pilning loop 10:19 - 11:04). The balancing return working
being;- 4V08 04:59 Wembley - Margam (booked Severn Tunnel junction 09:05). Also
reported at Parkway during the afternoon were;- steam loco 4936 Kinlet Hall +
support coach 99241 at 14:05 (also see the March 2009 Magazine cover) and 'hire'
GBRf 66723 with a load 21 Fastline 4V09 12:10 Chaddeston - Portbury coal
service, noted through Westerleigh at 15:37. Six freights seen this evening,
66142 (6D21) Avonmouth Didcot MGR, 66561 leaving Stoke Gifford with empty MGRs
for Portbury. Stabled in the yard was 66522 joined 66518 which worked in with
4V56 Rugeley Stoke Gifford MGR empties. Newport ADJ Wembley (6M17) with 66237,
66213 with Didcot Avonmouth MGR empties (4D16), MoD liner (6A29) worked by 66119
and 66230 light engine, destination unknown. XC power cars were 43301/303.
17/03 60062, which had spent a few days at Tavistock yard Plymouth, returned but
failed prior to working the 6B13 Robeston - Westerleigh fuel tanks, 60031 being
used instead. 31106 worked a west-bound test train through Parkway at 09:00,
whilst later split livered 66522 appeared at 16:56 on 6Z56 14:34 Moreton-on-Lugg
- Reading West loaded stone.
19/03 66552 and 66549 top n'tailed the 6M04 10:30 Portbury - Rugeley P.S coal
through Patchway at 11:21 towards south Wales, the reason for this being
unknown. An ECS movement through the area saw, 47843 + 47853 top n'tail 47769 on
a 5Z72 08:30 Crewe - Eastleigh (formed of five coaches; 3 former Virgin MkIIs,
maroon kitchen car 80041 and a former Anglian MkII). The working was a late
runner, being recorded as follows;- Madeley junction 09:57 (booked 09:20, 37
late), Bromsgrove 12:15 (11:18, 63 late), Westerleigh junction 13:35 (12:41, 66
late), Filton Abbeywood 13:48 (12:49, 61 late).
21/03 66529 and 66598 were both stabled at Parkway, whilst 66522, 66551, 66559
were found in Kingsland Road during the afternoon. 66008 powered a 6Z35 10:55
Moreton-on-Lugg-Acton stone through Parkway at 13:24 (8 late)
22/03 150121 + 150127 were unusually paired on the 2T38 12:44 Bristol TM -
Worcester FirsT/GW local service, the return 2Y39 14:36 Worcester - Bristol TM
being formed only with 150121.
23/03 At Parkway, 66040 worked the 7C48 Appleford - Machen stone empties, 66132
was at the head of the 6B24 Didcot - Wentlooge MoD stores and 66037 was on the
newly introduced 6Z96 08:21 Margam - Wembley export steel 'trial' passing late
at 14:25. A 12 coach 5Z76 09:49 Old Oak Common - Crewe ECS move, headed by 47769
+ 47843 (booked via Bath 13:52 and Parkway 14:25) was diverted from Swindon
(having passed here at 13:27) via Kemble (13:43), due to late running having
been reported earlier passing Reading at 12:56 (82 late). Earlier, 60031 was
reported to have hit an object at St. Clears on the 6B10 01:21 Margam - Robeston
tanks, which arrived 278 minutes late at it's destination being assisted by
66020. 60054 worked the onwards 6B13 loaded tanks to Westerleigh in place of
60031. Brief visit this evening saw 66137 (6D21) Avonmouth Didcot MGR service
and XC power cars 43357/366.
24/03 66094 was noted held at Parkway at 21:15 on 6Z51 Oxford Hinksey - Portbury
empty car carriers.
25/03 At Westerleigh, 66127 departed on a 6B25 11:18 empty tank train to
Robeston, whilst at Parkway 66012 passed on the 6B24 Didcot - Wentlooge MoD
stores and later, 66126 + 66129 were paired on the 6M17 18:08 Newport ADJ -
Wembley 'enterprise' freight service arriving in the up loop at 18:57.
26/03 60068 arrived at 05:10 at Westerleigh on the 6V98 22:48 (Wed) loaded fuel
oil ex. Lindsey. 66126 was on the return 6V08 Wembley - Margam 'trial' import
steel empties.
27/03 The 1L52 10:29 Swansea - Paddington First/GW HST service (with power cars
43087 + 43190) failed just inside Chipping Sodbury around 12:30 having struck an
unidentified object near the tunnel mouth affecting the brake connections
between the front power car and the first three coaches. The train departed at
slow speed back to Parkway, at 15:59 where the passengers detrained (some 4.5
hours after the working had originally called here!) and the set returned to St.
Phillips Marsh empty for checks, in the meantime First/GW Swansea-Paddington
HSTs were diverted via Bath and ones to and from Cardiff were cancelled.
28/03 The Severn Tunnel was closed again for PW work with diversions via
Gloucester. Freight diversions during the day included;- FLHH 66524 with the
Pengam - Theale loaded stone, 66034 on the 6B86 13:00 Portbury - Aberthaw loaded
coal service and 66113 with the 6C80 14:10 Machen - Westbury loaded stone.
142068 was also reported to have departed St. Phillips Marsh at 10:55 heading
northbound empty. At 18:00, the Redland self-discharge train was noted stabled
at Parkway, having arrived as 6Y13 12:24 Taunton - Mountsorrel (via Westbury and
Bath).
29/03 Three FLHH locos were found stabled at Parkway, only 66518 and 66544 being
identified.
30/03 The 6Z96 08:21 Margam - Wembley export steel service passed Parkway at
11:15 behind 66055 hauling 19 covered wagons. Later test dmu set 950001 appeared
running as 2Z08 06:58 Derby - Temple Meads including the Cheltenham area, the
Westerleigh and Tytherington branches, being noted on the latter passing Iron
Acton on the return run at 15:21. A planned visit to Sharpness (booked 10:26
-11:14) was reported not to have taken place. Only loco seen tonight was 66558
in the yard at the head of an empty MGR for Portbury. XC power cars were
43357/366.
31/03 60024 brought the 6B13 Robeston loaded fuel tanks into Westerleigh late
morning, the loco still remains 'off' TOPS following it's storage period at St.
Blazey! Other freight reports were; 66053 with the return 6A29 17:52 Wentlooge -
Dicot MoD stores and 66135 (through Filton Abbeywood at 18:28) on the 6X52 17:19
Portbury - Tyne yard loaded cars. Also recorded early evening was 57603 running
as 0Z86 14:05 Old Oak Common - Landore light-engine (noted in Pilning loop at
18:16).

Bristol Temple Meads, Kingsland Road and Barton Hill

21/02 Correction: April 2009 Magazine;- 47375 + 57602 ran 0Z57 13:08 Old Oak
Common - Laira light-engine, collecting the train (as recorded), recessing in
Taunton over night.
01/03 142001 + 143611 worked the 2F81 18:08 Temple Meads - Exeter St. Davids
First/GW local service.
02/03 67016 + 67017 commenced the month on the First/GW loco-hauled 'hire'
service, whilst Advenza 57006 ran from 5Z77 10:06 Gloucester - Laira (Temple
Meads 10:57) with two barrier coaches, returning 0Z80 light-engine to
Gloucester. Northbound MGR seen at 14:25 worked by 66053.
03/03 GBRf 66705 passed Nailsea & Backwell at 00:26 with the diverted 4V11
Peterborough - Taunton Fairwater loaded concrete sleeper train. Later, a Class
143 unit, carrying the new First/GW local line livery was seen working the
Severn Beach line. A Colas departmental working saw 56311 hauling a 6Z57 12:07
Ealing - Westerleigh train via Swindon, Bath, Lawrence Hill (15:26), Filton
Abbeywood (15:35) and Parkway formed with 92400 + DR76601. The loco returned
north as 0Z57 17:50 Westerleigh - Tyseley light-engine. Another observation at
Lawrence Hill saw 59005 heading towards Avonmouth at 15:12 with empty MRL stone
box wagons.
04/03 Arriva XC HST sets and power cars in use during the day were recorded as
follows;-
43303 + 43301 (XC02) 1V39 06:32 Dundee - Ply/ 1E73 17:21 Ply - Lds.
43304 + 43378 (XC01) 1V31 06:08 Edinburgh - Ply/1E63 15:21 Ply - Lds.
43321 + 43384 (XC03) 1V23 06:32 York - Ply/ 1S55 13:21 Ply - Edinburgh.
43357 + 43207 (XC05) 1V19 06:00 Lds - Ply/ 1S25 12:21 Ply - Glasgow.
05/03 47810 + 47237 top n'tailed a 5Z80 Gloucester - Totnes (via St. Phillips
Marsh) driver route learner/refresher with c/stock; 6168, 5958, 5866, 9497
passing Temple Meads near enough to time at 14:47 and having earlier been
reported through Parkway at 13:30. The return was at 17:20 from Totnes, a
'Gloucester Globetrotter' headboard being noted carried outward by the lead
loco!
06/03 Friday morning tour saw three unidentified Freightliner C166s, 1 stabled
at Kingsland Road, 1 leaving TM station area northbound and 1 arriving into the
station also due to head north. The time span for these sightings were 09:25
09:40.
08/03 Two weekend engineering blocks were reported between Bristol and Bath at
Newton St. Loe and between Newton Abbot and Totnes at Dainton.
09/03 66107 + 66025 were paired on the 6B65 Westbury - Newport ADJ departmental
via Day's curve during the morning whilst Advenza 47237 ran 0Z74 12:30
Gloucester Horton road - St. Phillips Marsh light-engine. 31106 worked a 4Z08
12:17 Derby - Laira test train (formed with c/stock: 9703, 999602, 6263) passing
Uphill junction (Weston-super-Mare) at 19:12. The DBSO was reported as on the
front of the train on departure from Bristol. 66027 headed south with an empty
MGR service for Portbury, another Portbury bound service was seen at 11:35
behind 66015.
10/03 For the 2009 National Hunt race meeting at Cheltenham, extra train
departures from Temple Meads ran at 13:08 and 18:08, with two extra services
from Cheltenham to Bristol departing at 10:58 and 15:56. Also on 10th, 11th and
13th, a 1Z38 08:05 London Euston - Cheltenham (11:16) operated top n'tailed by
Royal 67005 and 67028 via Nuneaton and Birmingham. The train's ECS each day ran;
5Z38 11:20 Cheltenham - Worcester (via Gloucester New yard) and 5Z59 18:25
Worcester - Gloucester (platform 4), for a 1Z59 19:14 Gloucester - Euston (via
Parkway, Day's curve, Bath and Swindon). Today's 1Z59 was noted passing Bath at
20:18 (2 minutes late) formed with c/stock; 2834, 3364, 3384, 1692, 3330, 3356,
3348, 1699, 3424, 3397, 17015. The race event reported attendance figures as
being 5% down on 2008 ( possibly due to the current recession), but there was
excitement on the final day, when Kauto Star became the first race horse to ever
retain the Gold Cup from the previous year! Also on this date (13/03), 67005 had
been replaced by 67030 on the Euston relief. Another observations for the day
was; 153380 used on part of the First/GW loco hauled diagram following the
failure of the set with locos 67016 + 67017 at Cardiff, having arrived here on
the 2V14 11:02 ex.Taunton. The unit worked the 2C79 14:00 Cardiff - Taunton,
departing Temple Meads at 15:13 (20 late), the return 2V24 16:13 Taunton -
Cardiff service being cancelled. The 67s and train had meanwhile been revived
and was later able to work the 2C89 19:00 Cardiff - Taunton. A reported freight
train failure during the day was 60010 (which had arrived at Westbury overnight
from Acton) with the 6B83 Westbury - Machen stone empties passing Bath at 09:40
with 59005 acting as a pilot loco. The Class 60 was dropped off at East Usk
en-route, the return working being retimed to run as 6C83 16:30 Machen
-Westbury, noted passing Pilning at 18:27 (47 late). Late running Bridgwater
Sellafield flasks seen ascending Ashley Bank at 17:00 worked by 37604/607.
11/03 67016 + 67017 were back inaction on the First/GW loco 'hire' diagram,
being noted at Yatton at 20:18 (2 late) with the 2C89 19:00 Cardiff - Taunton
part of the working. 142001 ran 5Z42 Exeter - Crewe (for Glasgow works) during
the day and 31106, having arrived on a 4Z08 test working from Exeter, stabled on
the former Bath road depot spur.
12/03 The ECS move for Pathfinder Tour's 'Tyne Tornado' excursion (1Z33 05:30
Cardiff - Newcastle, featuring haulage from the newly built steam loco 60163
Tornado), was 5Z33 00:39 Eastleigh - Cardiff (via Reading, Temple Meads
(reverse), East depot (reverse) and Margam (reverse), top n'tailed by Royal
67006 + 67001. Also during the morning, 66507 worked west on the 6V21 Hope
sidings - Moorswater loaded cement and afternoon 6M37 15:35 return empties, and
later 66606 + 66624 top n'tailed a 6Y?? 19:34 Westbury - Worle junction
engineers (via Taunton). 142009 headed west from Temple Meads at 20:33 with a
5Z43 empty move to Exeter.
13/03 31106 noted on a test train stabled Adjacent to Cattle Market Road at
09:35. The Arriva XC HST set, with power cars 43301 + 43303 carried red nose
stickers on each end whilst working the 1V23 06:32 York - Plymouth and 1S55
13:21 Plymouth - Edinburgh (noted through Yatton at 15:12) services, in support
of the BBC1 Comic Relief event. Staff collected donations during the day from
the travelling passengers. Ex. works 150265 was recorded on local Bristol -
Taunton line passenger duties, having been the last unit to carry the former
Wessex Train's livery. 31106 departed the area on 4Z08 Bristol Kingsland Road -
Derby RTC (Serco) via Westbury, Southampton, Reading and Oxford.
14/03 A 5Z50 09:15 Eastleigh works - Long Marston stock move (booked Day's curve
12:20 - 12:44 and Parkway 12:57) was cancelled for the day, and again three days
later! 220003 was on the Arriva XC 5C41 15:30 Taunton - Bristol TM empty
diversionary route learner during the afternoon.
16/03 Steam loco 4936 Kinlet Hall was recorded in Temple Meads at 14:18 for a
water stop (also see Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh notes) on a 5Z49
09:45 Tyseley - Bishop's Lydeard loco and coach move, being later recorded at
Highbridge at 15:43 (13 late). Two moves via Day's curve saw 56311 work a Colas
6Z56 10:00 Westerleigh - Oxford Hinksey yard departmental (through Lawrence Hill
at 10:56 and Keynsham at 11:20) and later 153371 returned from refurbishment on
a 5Z53 Eastleigh works - Tyseley empty stock run. An Advenza move with 57006,
formed with empty bogie stone boxes passed through Bath at 11:19 towards
Bristol. Top 'n' Tail service seen at 14:50 using 67016 + 67017.
17/03 Freight reports during the day saw; 20308 + 20314 power the 6M67
Bridgwater - Crewe nuclear flasks (formed of two FNA wagons), 66037 on the 6X52
Portbury - Tyne yard loaded cars through Temple Meads at 18:52 and 66169 on a
late running 6C74 Avonmouth - Westbury loaded import stone at Bath at 19:05.
66606 + 66624 top n'tailed a 6Y11 Taunton Fairwater - Parsons street
departmental, leaving Taunton at 21:20.
18/03 'Hire' GBRf 66723 was noted descending Filton bank at Ashley Hill at 15:22
with the 4V09 12:10 Chaddeston - Portbury Fastline coal empties. The train was
held in the Bristol area, not arriving at it's destination until 17:09!
19/03 Another GBRf loco to see use at Bristol was 66707 which departed Eastleigh
160 minutes late with a 5V60 10:20 Eastleigh - Bishop's Lydeard ECS move for use
at the West Somerset Railway's Spring Steam gala. The train was noted, using the
Tuesday's only, 6V62 Eastleigh - Plymouth oil path onwards from Bristol, being
recorded in Yatton loop from 15:52 - 15:54 (the actual booked time here being
12:50 - 12:57!), with c/stock; W21272, W5009, 4927, 5040, 1863, 4902, 4996,
5008.
20/03 31465 arrived during the early hours on a 4Z07 test working from Derby,
returning during the evening via Parkway and Swindon. A 1Z67 07:42 Manchester -
Bath Northern Belle dining special headed by 67008 passed Pilning at 11:41 with
c/stock; Glamis (3174), Alnwick (3273), 1566, Belvoir (3267), Warwick (3182),
1953, Harlech (3275), Chatsworth (3247), 17167, 10729. The return was 1Z68 17:22
from Bath - Manchester, being routed via Parkway, the ECS moves during the day
being 5Z67 12:31 Bath - Swindon Transfer yard and 5Z68 16:44 Swindon Transfer
yard - Bath. During the afternoon, 47818 headed a 6Z18 14:00 Gloucester -
Eastleigh train of empty stone box wagons via Day's curve, having earlier been
reported through Charfield at 13:15 and Parkway at 13:38. The loco returned to
Temple Meads light-engine, stabling in the platform 5 north-end bay. A change to
the First/GW loco-hauled diagram (with 67016 + 67017) saw the 2V14 11:02
Taunton-Cardiff terminated at Parkway due to the closure of the Severn Tunnel
for an unspecified reason around 14:00. The train was returned to Temple Meads
as ECS at 12:46.
21/03 47818 remained stabled at Temple Meads until 08:30. 221130 was on the
Arriva XC 5C41 15:20 Temple Meads - Taunton (via Westbury) diversionary route
learner, passing Bath at 15:23 and 66584 worked the 6A21 Pengam - Theale loaded
stone and return empties. The 1C99 Paddington - Penzance First/GW sleeper
service headed by 57602 was reported as failed and terminated at Exeter around
06:40, having been assisted onwards by 66040. The train was stabled on the
Heathfield branch line, at Newton Abbot, following a second failure. 47818
arrived as 0C99 rescue light-engine from Bristol, before moving the whole train
onwards to Penzance.
23/03 47818 + 57602 (dit) worked the 1A40 21:15 (Sun) Penzance - Paddington
First/GW service, being held at Plymouth until 01:40 due to engineering work.
Later during the morning, 66213 was seen waiting to leave Barton Hill for
Avonmouth, around 07:00 on a repaired HTA coal wagon trip and 66113 + 66102
passed through Day's curve on the 6B65 Westbury - Newport ADJ departmental
service.
24/03 66602 worked the overnight 6Z21 20:55 (Mon) 20:55 Hope (Earles sidings) -
Moorswater loaded cement around 07:00 (having run wrong-line in the Ashchurch
area around 02:20 due to nearby PW work) and later DB Schnenker Rail livered
59206 passed Lawrence Hill at 14:05 with 6C63 stone empties to Avonmouth. A
further Arriva XC Voyager Temple Meads - Taunton (via Westbury) diversionary
route learning trip took place, the unit involved being unidentified. A back to
back 0Z74 HST power car move recorded, 43148 + 43042 passing Uphill junction
(Weston-super-Mare) at 15:46 heading for St. Phillips Marsh. A similar 0Z80
17:44 St. Phillips Marsh - Laira move followed, passing Uphill junction at 18:01
(35 early), with this time unidentified power cars.
25/03 67001 worked a Victoria - Bath/Bristol and return VSOE trip during the
afternoon.
26/03 66525 was on the 6Z21 Hope (Earles sidings) - Moorswater loaded cement. A
unit was reported as on the 2V14 11:02 Taunton - Cardiff Central service (in
place of the First/GW 'hire' Class 67s). The 67s were to reappeared later in the
day as booked. 66077 ran 0Z60 09:15 Newport ADJ - St. Blazey to collect stored
60024, returning as 0Z61 during the afternoon and 66115 later appeared on the
6Z71 13:22 Cliffe Vale - St. Blazey freight, having departed the Midlands late
at 15:32.
27/03 A unit, 153368 was again recorded on the 2V14 11:02 Taunton - Cardiff
Central First/GW service in place of the Class 67 loco-hauled 'hire'set .
Following works attention, 142001 worked west as 5Z42 Newton Heath - Taunton
(platform 1), going forward to Exeter at 07:15 the following day.
28/03 "Hanson" stone wagons seen heading south at 17:00 hauled by
66113. Due to HST availability, 150221 + 150279 were used on the 09:00 Temple
Meads - Paddington First/GW service as far as Swindon. On the subject of units,
SWT's 158880 was noted with the 09:20 Waterloo - Temple Meads and 13:15 return
services. Vintage Train's 'Bristolian' (1Z43 07:38 Solihull - Temple Meads and
1Z44 15:10 return) headed by steam 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe was in trouble at
Oxford, but made Didcot before failing at 11:34. The loco was moved to the
nearby Steam Centre, whilst green-livered rescue loco D1755/47773 ran 1Z99
light-engine from Tyseley - Didcot to take the train onwards. The working was
recorded passing Bristol East at 14:43, needless to say the departure time was
revised to 16:30 so passenger could a have longer time in the City. The train's
c/stock was reported as follows;- W9101, W5198, W5157, W5177, 5125, 99353,
99349, 99361, W35470. At St. Phillips Marsh, an MPV set was visible, part 98911
being identified. Weekend track work continued on the Bristol - Taunton line,
with Arriva XC trains running via Westbury and Bath and road buses providing
local connections. Engineering trains associated with the track work during the
day were reported as follows;- 66529 + 66607 at Parsons street, 66582 on 6Y34
Westbury - Parson's street, 66606 + 66624 near Cogload junction and 66604 with
6Y12 in Highbridge loop. At East depot around 100 heavy duty stone bags were
noted next to the run-round loop siding, suggesting a rail movement had taken
place during March, the first since October 2008 when steel workings ended
following several completed Bristol City building projects. Also noted was
extensive embankment rebuilding work near Bedminster by Carillion, which had
involved the demolition of a number of derelict buildings.
29/03 During the early hours, 3 wagons of a HOBC working were derailed at the
north-end of Taunton Fairwater yard, with one wagon on it's side. This resulted
in heavy delays and cancelled services, with a limited roadbus connection
running between Tiverton Parkway and Plymouth. The mainline West Country
engineering block location for the weekend was at Dainton.
30/03 The 'hire' stock delivered to the West Somerset Railway on the 19/03 for
gala use was returned as 5Z44 11:10 Bishop's Lydeard - Eastleigh (via Bath)
behind GBRf 66721 (reported Worle junction 12:06 - booked Temple Meads 12:22 -
12:49) which had earlier run 0Z44 04:38 Wembley - Bishop's Lydeard light (via
Westbury) to collect the train. A First/GW Class 143 unit was booked to work
5Z43 06:47 Exeter - Eastleigh empty for refurbishment (believed to be 143620)
via Bristol following the return of an ex-works 143612 during the previous day
and 66077 worked a 2Z99 Margam - Taunton re-railing crane and coaches move to
attend to the previous day's derailment. At Kingsland Road the following were
present;- 66584/602/604/607. To end the day, the top n'tail First/GW 'hire' ECS
from Taunton - Bath was reported through Bath at 22:20.
31/03 31454 with a DBSO test train set was stabled on the former Bath Road depot
spur, having arrived as 4Z08 15:57 Derby - Bristol (via Swindon). Test unit
950001 worked 2Z08 07:09 Temple Meads - Plymouth, via the Westbury area and
Yatton loop (booked 11:18 - 11:34) en-route and a second re-railing crane was
worked west by 66177 as 2Z99 Toton - Taunton Fairwater yard (via Didcot).

01/03 60054 was on a Margam - Llanwern steel service, requiring a loco
run-round at Severn Tunnel junction, due to track work in the Newport area.
08/03 60054, again on a Margam - Llanwern steel train was diverted via the Vale
of Glamorgan line and Barry due to week-end engineering activity.

Portbury Branchline

18/02 GBRf 'hire' 66726 was seen waiting at the dockgate at 05:50 with a late
running Fastline 6M18 05:00 departure to Ratcliffe P.S.
19/02 DRS 'hire' 66419 arrived at 16:29 with the 4G09 12:10 Chaddeston -
Portbury coal empties.
04/03 Some late running was recorded with, 66597 leaving at 13:23 (178 late) on
the 6M04 10:30 departure to Rugeley P.S. and 66514 which had earlier departed at
08:03 (69 late) with the 6M55 06:54 departure to Rugeley P.S. Also, 66612 had
been reported through Severn Tunnel junction at 11:32 (120 late) with 6M61 08:25
Portbury - Rugeley P.S.
12/03 The 6M55 06:54 Portbury - Rugeley was again a late runner, leaving at
10:41 (227 late), with unidentified hauling power.
19/03 The 05:00 departure to Ratcliffe P.S. was retimed to leave later and
recoded 6Z40 both today, with 66302 (reported through Swindon at 10:45) and on
the 20/03 with 66303.
26/03 The new DB Schneker Rail livery made it's first appearance over the branch
with 66152 working the 6X52 17:27 departure, conveying 74, mainly Renault vans
to Tyne yard, noted Ashton Gate at 18:10. The loco had brought in the 6V51
empties during the morning, prior to running light-engine to Barton Hill for
stabling during the day.

Railman HonouredFirst/GW platform supervisor Wayne Spence collected his MBE from the Queen
at Buckingham Palace during the month in recognition of his outstanding customer
service in Bristol. He has been working on the railway for 28 years and at
Temple Meads since 1999, being a friendly familiar face for many of the
passengers who use the station always giving accurate information regarding
train times and platform details. Mr Spence, aged 48, from St. George, Bristol
was recommended for the award as he 'always goes the extra mile to deliver
customer service'.

PRESERVATION & INDUSTRIAL MATTERS

Bristol Harbour RailwayThe 2009 operating days have been confirmed as follows;-
May 2, 3, 4, 23, 24, 25. June 6, 7, 20, 21. July 11, 12. Aug 1, 29, 30, 31. Sept
12, 13. Oct 3, 4, 24, 25, 31. Nov 1. The steam hauled shuttles normally run from
the Industrial Museum (undergoing refurbishment) area and the S.S. Great Britain
between 11:00 and 17:00, the day's 11:30 trip has in the past run along the
former Wapping Wharf branch, alongside Cumberland Road to the Create Centre
warehouse near the old former Ashton rail/road swing bridge.